REG KRAY'S BOOK OF SLANG

Hardback. Originally pub. by Wheel and Deal Publications. Reg Kray takes the reader well beyond the familiar rhymes of Apples and Pears and Rosie Lee. Here a bank is a Rag Shop, to Tip Up is to die, a Valentine is one year in the slammer, and a Daisy is a safe-breaking tool. But not all the information in this collection relates to violence and crime. To Whiddle is to divulge, a Zib is a twit, a Quandong is a prostitute and a Mabber is a cabbie. Reg Kray assembled this unique record of Cockney lore whilst serving a sentence for murder. It is not only the first authentic guide to and explanation of the colourful code of London's streetwise (whether 'operators' or not), but its assembly helped to keep him sane during some of his darkest hours in prison. It's funny, surprising, informative, utterly authentic and a fascinating semantic record. From one of the authors of best-selling 'Our Story', the book is a non-criminal record of a language that develops and changes with the times. Illustrated throughout with photographs of Reg and Ron Kray with their friends, this little book packs a hefty and well-targeted punch. Chapter headings include : Cockney Slang; American Slang; Criminal Slang; Poetry. Illus. 64pp. 12mo h/back. Glazed covers. Vg+